What does a MCV greater than normal indicate?

A mean corpuscular volume (MCV) greater than normal is indicative of macrocytic anemia. MCV measures the average volume of red blood cells in a sample and is expressed in femtoliters. When MCV is elevated, it suggests that the red blood cells are larger than normal, which is characteristic of macrocytic anemia.

Macrocytic anemia can be caused by various factors, including vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, and certain bone marrow disorders, leading to the production of larger-than-normal red blood cells. This condition is important to recognize because the underlying causes often require specific treatments, such as supplementation or further investigation for more serious underlying issues like malignancies or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Understanding the implications of MCV values is crucial in clinical practice, as it guides further testing and diagnosis related to anemia and other hematological disorders.